A spectacle for mind and vision, Musonium Gallery’s inaugural group exhibition – INITIATION: EXODUS – will officially be unveiled when they open their doors to their new location in Palm Springs, California for the very first time on Friday, July 26, 2024! Colourful flights of sculptural and painterly fancy – some whimsical, others contemplative – mingle with darker, edgier narratives in their eclectically curated grand opening affair, delivering piquant pleasures for one and all. Join us in offering a hearty congratulations to Palm Springs, California’s premier art gallery for their inaugural show featuring 23 innovative emerging and established contemporary artists hailing from all across the world including: Spain, Italy, Belgium, England, China, Japan, Philippines, Cuba, Canada and the United States. A grand entrance into the art world, indeed!
The Rubenesque Paradox, 30″ x 30″, Oil on Canvas
What could be better than expressing so many things through art, symbolizing the echo of human nature, distortion and motivation through time.
Darwin Leon
The origin story of Musonium Gallery – established in 2024 – begins with the ambition of its owner and her son to provide today’s inspiring contemporary talents with a catered platform to shine without being lost in the crowd. Being seasoned collectors with an impressive portfolio of original contemporary works contained in a private collection, Tracey and Keeley used their love of art and unique perspective of the world to mould the framework of Musonium Gallery with an emphasis on their European heritage. Focusing on polarizing art influenced by captivating topics such as philosophy, science, history, culture, and conceptual notions of prominent individuality, Tracey and Keeley seek to spark vast conversations that speak to all depths of society. Musonium Gallery’s inherent mission is to challenge perceptions of contemporary art and then take it that extra bit further by adding an inexplicable flair that just makes it the Musonium experience.
Don’t Grow Up, It’s A Trap, 21.2″ x 27.5″, Oil on Panel
A culturally rich community
Visitors are certainly in for a treat. Situated in the Uptown Arts and Design District, Musonium Gallery’s new space in Palm Springs is in the heart of tourist paradise for those seeking some of the best art and culture experiences the Coachella Valley has to offer.
Located only a few blocks down the road from Musonium Gallery, the Palm Springs Art Museum is a cultural hub in the city, offering a diverse collection of modern and contemporary art, photography, and Native American art. Musonium Gallery is the perfect addition to this iconic, eclectic and vibrant area; the gallery’s presence further contributes to the region’s reputation as a must-visit destination studded with myriad compelling cultural gems, making it a fascinating place for art enthusiasts to explore. Palm Springs has also long been a getaway destination for Hollywood stars. During the 1930s to 1960s, many celebrities built homes in the area, enhancing its glamorous reputation. This connection continues to influence the local arts and culture scene to this day.
Torment and Ecstasy, 60cm x 90cm, Oil on Belgium Linen
Cleo, 92 x 43 x 27 cm
Brushed/Patinated Mild Steel, Copper & Wrought Iron
Subterfuge, 84 x 59 cm, Acrylic on Board
From Press Release //
It is with great pleasure to introduce Musonium Gallery and our inaugural group exhibition INITIATION: EXODUS, a triumphant introduction of the gallery’s program and much anticipated grand opening. Created and initially intended to open in late 2022 situated inside a former The Bank of Tampa branch building in Tampa, FL, Musonium Gallery has enthusiastically relocated to Palm Springs, CA for an inspiring new exhibition space in the Uptown Arts and Design District. This dramatic and distant departure from our initially intended Tampa flagship marks a pivotal shift in renewed energy and courage as Musonium embarks on this new journey. Quite literally, our own exodus. As the title suggests, INITIATION: EXODUS celebrates the inception of Musonium, the gallery’s ambitious endeavours ahead, the departure from one location to another, and the global induction of world-class talented contemporary artists who embody Musonium Gallery’s vision and mission.
Seduction, 24″ x 24″, Cold Wax on Wood Panel
The elegant, yet mysterious sculpture Cleo by Tim Roosen, features copper eyes with elaborate forged metal hair as well as welded elements creating an alluring metal maiden, where “a Gothic dream meets a Dieselpunk nightmare.” Darwin Leon’s The Rubenesque Paradox (inspired by Peter Paul Rubens’ The Rape of the Daughters of Leucippus) channels the old masters whilst bringing a unique contemporary flair to the forefront. Lorella Ragnatelli’s sultry figurative painting, titled Torment and Ecstasy, demonstrates academic precision observed through the treatment of the human body in an in-between state of tension and relaxation, whilst echoing the dynamic of two lovers who grow together but who can also grow apart if their passion is neglected. In Kevin Kuenster’s provocative piece titled, Seduction, two love interests are depicted sharing cherries on tranquil waters as the swaying of the wooden boat brings them closer together, whilst the clouds behind them manifest into pictorial representations of their lust. Ginger’s Don’t Grow Up, It’s A Trap explore the surreal, where feline and feminine energies align to create metaphorical depictions of women’s empowerment.
MUSONIUM GALLERY PALM SPRINGS
Inaugural Group Exhibition, “INITIATION: EXODUS”
Opening Reception: Friday, July 26, 2024 | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Pacific Daylight Time
Exhibition Dates: July 26 – August 25, 2024
Musonium Gallery
1090 N Palm Canyon Dr, Suite i, Palm Springs, CA 92262| (813) 613-6611
For sales or press inquiries, please contact info@musoniumgallery.com
Heartburn (How To Make A Fire Bird)
6′ x 4′, Oil on Canvas
Tableaux Vivants: Initiation
16” x 12”, Acrylic on Panel
Exhibiting Artists
Froilan Calayag | Jasmine Becket-Griffith | Bob Doucette | Encarni Diaz (Ginger) | Franc Kaiser | Tim Roosen | Zienna Brunsted Stewart | Kevin Kuenster | Darwin Leon | Deirdre Sullivan-Beeman | Enrique Alfonso Rodríguez | Michael Banks (Sugar Fueled) | Yoko d’Holbachie | Mark Mitchell | Catharses | Lorella Ragnatelli | Salvatore Dangelo | Mark Garro | David van Gough | Arturo Garcia de las Heras | Alan Macdonald | Carolynda Macdonald | Marcelo Suaznabar
A donde vas, 23.5″ x 31″, Oil on Canvas
About the Gallery //
Nestled in the vibrant Uptown Arts and Design District of Palm Springs, California, Musonium Gallery stands as a beacon of artistic innovation and cultural enrichment. Established in 2024, the gallery is committed to showcasing some of the world’s best contemporary talents, with a focus on a dynamic and carefully curated exhibition program. Musonium Gallery is perfectly positioned in the iconic Coachella Valley, offering a unique blend of natural beauty, architecture, and cultural richness, providing an inspiring backdrop for artistic expression.
Each exhibition is carefully crafted to offer a transformative experience that resonates with the themes and narratives behind the artworks. Musonium Gallery is dedicated to providing a platform and space for cutting-edge contemporary artists to engage with and thrive in the constantly evolving art world.
